Stella Mary (originally named Fenix) was a cargo vessel built in Sweden 1949, she registered at Stockton and was renamed Stella Mary in 1954. Stockton was her home port until 1959.
Photograph and details courtesy of FW Eddington.
The ‘Stella Mary’ at Corporation Quay, Stockton 1957
I did one trip in her to Mantyluoto and Helsinki in Finland in c. ‘56. Found small ship life not suitable for me. Now 89 and this is one of only 2 photos I’ve found of her. She was owned by a company called Peckston, I think.
Does anyone remember the dredger that I think was occasionally berthed at the Quay? It was on the river at least a couple of times in the early 1950s.
Dr Fred Star, I remember seeing the dredger a few times, I remember crane like buckets which picked the mud up, what a busy dock it seemed all those years ago, railway lines & tall cranes, as a little lad I would stand for ages watching, I never saw a ship come up or down the river except the dredger.
The cattle market was also something to see but I always remember an awful smell coming from the animals, I also remember looking into the slaughter house, still remember the awful smell and sights there. How things have changed.
Derek.
Used to go and see her at the dockside in 1957-58 ish on my way to school. Went on board a few times. I was only 9 or 10 years old at the time.
I lived in Billingham but went to school in Nelson Terrace. Lunchtimes were often spent near the ships trying to cadge foreign coins. But the romance of the sea got me and I eventually became a merchant navy engineer.
Eddie Wood
Oh yes, seeing the picture, I now remember seeing her at the Quay.
In my very much younger years. I’m 70 now.